Minds in Motion Sparks Imaginations of Young and Old

Students will design a simple house with Google Sketch Up, learn old fashioned writing using quill pens and how to build and program a LEGO Mindstorm robot during just some of the workshops to be offered at Minds in Motion at Masuk High School on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Brooke Burling of Monroe is chairman of the local Minds in Motion event and executive director of the Connecticut Association for the Gifted (CAG). Minds in Motion events are held throughout the state and Burling said his family has participated in the program first hand.

"My kids have and they absolutely love it," he said Monday. "The kids get so excited and so engaged because it's stuff they can try that's new. It's not something they will learn in school everyday."

Minds in Motion is for children in grades K-8.

This will be the third consecutive year that Minds in Motion is held in this area. Burling said the first two events were in Trumbull and Newtown. The Dec. 3 program is co-sponsored by Monroe Organized Voters for Education (MOVE) and CAG. It will be held from 1 to 4 p.m.

"While the Connecticut Association for the Gifted is a co-sponsor, this is by no means just for gifted kids," Burling said. "It's for all learning levels."

It costs $30 per child to register (CAG members get a discount) and parents can attend and participate in adult workshops for free. Tuesday, Nov. 22, is the last day to register. Registration forms postmarked at that date may be mailed to Masuk High School, 1014 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe CT 06468 — Care of the STEM Academy. And students may drop off forms at the Science Technology Engineering and Math Academy inside Masuk.

Registration may also be done online at ctgifted.org. A pdf of the form and the event brochure is included with this article. For information, email Burling at mimMonroe@ctgifted.org.

Something for Grown Ups Too

"The parents have just as good a time, if not more," Burling said of Minds in Motion.

They may listen to keynote speaker Dr. Bruce Wexler from Yale University, whose presentation is entitled, "Harnessing Neuroplasticity to Improve Education."

Among the workshops are Conversations that Invite Intelligence; How to Help Your Child Become a Better Learner; Thinking Outside the Classroom; and The Twice Exceptional Learner.

Burling said local businesses and professionals will be represented in the workshops, giving them the opportunity to "exhibit and show off their wares." For instance, he said the Connecticut Science Center participated last year, providing the opportunity for people to learn about its organization.

"It's like a mini-education convention," he said.

On Dec. 3, Michael Massaro, director of research and development for Unilever, will lead "A Hands-On Introduction to Chemistry" for grades 6-8. And Burling said a lawyer (Matthew Hirsch of Monroe) will conduct a mock trial with the older kids.

"It's a school and community partnership — instilling an environment of education throughout the community," Burling said. "All of these workshops are taught by volunteers and local businesses and professionals."

Minds in Motion will also include student volunteers from Masuk, according to Burling.

Forging Friendships

Though Minds in Motion will be in Monroe on Dec. 3, Burling said it will be open to all children. In fact, he said 10 to 15 percent of the enrollees are people who travel the state to attend these events.

"I've seen children from eighth grade on opposite ends of the state who became friends because they attended all of the events since they were in kindergarten," Burling said.

He said it is "neat" to see kids make new friends through their similar interests.

But the main draw of Minds in Motion is the hands-on learning students engage in. For instance, Burling said chemistry workshops allow children to "let things bubble over and to watch them explode."

"They're not just listening to a lecture on chemistry," Burling said. "They get to try and participate and get their hands dirty. They're only limited by their imaginations. The workshops are high interest, high energy and hands on."